In a recent interview with Guitar Player, Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera shared his thoughts about the late Jeff Beck’s guitar prowess.
“Without a shadow of a doubt, Jeff Beck was the best British guitarist ever,” Manzanera stated. “He could do things that nobody else could do.”
“His sense of pitch was extraordinary,” he continued. His statement challenges the long-standing debate about British guitar supremacy often centered around Eric Clapton.
The timing of this statement coincides with ongoing discussions about British guitar legends’ legacy. These discussions have gained new significance following Beck’s passing in January 2023.
The comparison between these guitar legends traces back to their early days in the British music scene.
Reports from Guitar Player indicate that Beck and Clapton both grew up in Surrey, England. Their professional paths intersected when Beck took Clapton’s place in The Yardbirds in 1965.
Insights from Far Out Magazine reveal Beck’s perspective on their relationship. “I know he didn’t like the fact that I took over from him in the Yardbirds and we did great,” Beck admitted. “I think he was a bit jealous on that front.”
A recent analysis by TIDAL Magazine highlights Clapton’s admiration for Beck’s abilities. After hearing Beck play ‘Shapes of Things,’ Clapton remarked, “I always tuned in to Jeff, all through my life.”
Tracii Guns previously talked with Mike Brunn about why Beck and Clapton should not be compared. He said Clapton was great in Cream but, after that, became more of a songwriter than a groundbreaking guitarist. Guns believes putting Clapton in the same category as Jeff Beck is unfair to Beck.
